Review: VELVET ELVIS by Rob Bell

Rob Bell is a few years older than me, and is arguably the most famous "Christian" of my generation. This was his first book.

Like many authors his age, Bell is better at asking questions than answering them. It reminds me of something I learned in the Navy: never bring up a problem without also bringing up a solution. Bell brings up many problems, and few solutions.

This book also contains his trampoline analogy, in which doctrines are compared to trampoline springs. Yes, a trampoline will work just fine with a few springs missing, just as you can be a Christian without holding to all of some doctrines. Bell's analogy fails at two points, though.

First, it ignores the fact that if you keep removing springs, you'll eventually find yourself not bouncing on a trampoline, but standing on the ground. Second, doctrines often build on each other , and taking one out may take out several otherwise solid ones with it.

Bell has embraced postmodernity, with its denial of absolute truth, closely, and I can't recommend his books.

1Kings 14

There's no such thing as a victimless crime, especially if you're king. Because of Jeroboam's evil, Israel was taken from his family forever.

Just because God gave something doesn't mean he can't take it back.

1Kings 13

Do what God said. Peiriod.

Jeroboam didn't have to make golden calves. In fact, he was specifically told not to. The false prophet didn't have to lie. In fact, he was specifically told not to. The man of God didn't have to turn aside and eat there. In fact, he was specifically told not to. See a pattern?

The resurrection of the body

The popular notion of spirits floating around the clouds for eternity is just that: a popular notion. It's certainly not from the Bible. (And don't even get me started on the wings and harps.)

What the Bible does talk about is a bodily resurrection in a physical existence. What will it be like? I don't know. No one does. I believe the afterlife for Christians will be better than we can imagine, just as Hell will be worse.

But we'll have bodies either way.

Review: RSV New Testament (Dramatized) by Falcon Picture Group

The Revised Standard Version of the Bible caught a lot of backlash and was essentially rejected on publication by evangelicals because of one Old Testament verse. Several products neatly sidestep the problem by using the New Testament alone. This is one of them.

Since my own weapon of choice, the English Standard Version, is about 70% identical to the RSV, I found this very easy to listen to. It was familiar. The dramatization was low-key and unobtrusive, and I recommend it.

1Kings 12

This is why I have a problem with most "youth" ministries. Rehoboam didn't need to listen to people his own age (or slightly older). He needed advisers who were older, who had been around a while.

And I have it on good authority that the Hebrew word doesn't mean "little finger", but a different body part entirely.

Review: ANOINTED FOR REVIVAL by Geof Waugh et al.

Waugh is apparently an Australian pentecostal. A while back a lot of his work was given away free, so I have a good many of his books. If they're all like this, that's too bad.

The problem with this book is that it's schizophrenic. There's no one style, like there would be in a book with a single author. Even in books of essays and stories with many authors, there is usually a theme holding it all together. Here there's nothing. It just feels thrown-together.

The first half consists of hagiographies of early pentecostal leaders. These are apparently students' papers. The second half is a history of the pentecostal center in Brisbane, written by Waugh. There is no attempt to connect the halves.

I don't recommend this book, partly because of its random nature, and partly because it's just boring. 

1Kings 11

It seems to be hard to remember that the higher you go, the farther you have to fall.

God had warned of the dangers of foreign entanglements, especially marriage to foreign women,  but Solomon didn't listen. Despite his divine wisdom, he thought he knew better than God. The result was that that he wives led him astray.

The best thing ever for missions?

Some of you know that before my stroke I was planning on being a missionary to Newfoundland in Canada. When I'm able that's still what I want to do. To that end, I've tried to learn everything I could about missions, apologetics, church planting, evangelism (which together I think of as MACE), and the island itself.

I learn best by reading, and rather than carrying around several thousand pounds of books, I can just take my Kindle up there.

Whether they're Kindles, Nooks, or some other strange creature, E-readers are a boon for those who need access to a library but can't always count on one being available. They're also good for people like me who can't hold a book.

For less than $100 you can give a missionary 2000 years of wisdom. Even better, the Kindle reading app is free, and public domain books are free or nearly so, so the cost is more like $10.

That's cheap no matter who you are.

1Kings 10

Of course Solomon was world-famous,

If the richest person in this world was also the wisest, and was head of a worldwide trading empire, and gave the credit to God for everything, you would've heard of him, too.

Review: ALWAYS REMEMBER TO TIP YOUR NINJA by Jerremy C. Shipp

This is a collection of "maxims for the clinically absurd", and sounds like the sort of thing Mr. Shipp's friends found hilarious. Not being one of those happy few, I found it more amusing than funny.

I don't recommend it, simply because there are much funnier books out there.

1Kings 9

When Hiram came to help when Solomon was building, he brought his own materials. Solomon paid him with 20 cities. When they proved unacceptable, he gave Hiram a lot of money involved.

Gold is always accepted.

Review: THE CHRISTIAN ATHEIST by Craig Groeschel

This book is exactly right in pointing out those who profess to worship Christ but live as if he didn't exist. Those are the Christian atheists of the title. The disconnect is troubling, and the concept is well worth a book.

The only problem is the author. The last chapter is the most autobiographical, and seems to depict Groeschel, pastor of something called "lifechurch.tv", as tied up chasing money as anyone else. It tends to make what came before seem hypocritical.

Even with that caveat, I recommend it.

1Kings 8

A couple of days ago, we read it chapter about the temple, but even that construction work it wasn't complete. Half the chapter yesterday was dedicated to Hiram making me furnishings and utensils necessary for it to function, but even that didn't complete it.

It wasn't complete until the ark was in t.

The forgiveness of sins;

This is the great hope Christians have. Not eternal life; everyone gets that, but most people have to spend it in Hell.

We all need forgiveness,  because we've already sinned ourselves to death. Sin is just going against God. He won't put up with sin now, what makes you think he'll put up with it for eternity in Heaven?

The reason -- the only reason -- we can be accepted by the Father is to that our sins are forgiven, and the only way that could happen is that the Son had to die to pay for them.

1Kings 7

Solomon spent a lot of time and money on the temple, trying to make it worthy of the God to whom it was dedicated. What does it mean that he spent so much more on himself?

Half of this long chapter is given over to describing the palace of Solomon, and the rest to the furniture Hiram cast for the temple. While the temple was fully furnished, it's disturbing how concerned Solomon eas with his own comfort.

Review: THE GOSPEL OF JESUS by Daniel Johnson, read by Garrison Keillor

This is the only freebie you get. I said a while back that I like audiobooks, and you'd have to figure out which were read and which were listened to. The "read by " credit kind of gives this one away, though.

I like the way Keillor reads, though, and think of this as as much his book as Johnson's. When it comes down to it, this is a very well-done harmony of the Gospels, based on the New Living Translation, and read by Garrison Keillor. There's no part of that sentence I don't like, and I highly recommend it.

1Kings 6

Though it's not likely that Solomon ever swung a hammer, this chapter repeatedly says that he built the temple.

I know what's meant . The author only meant that Solomon caused it to be done, not that he did it himself. Still, it's a funny picture, Solomon in robe and crown,doing it all alone.

And here's another post on Locked- In Syndrome

I realized that it's been a long time since I wrote anything about the shape I'm in. There are a couple of reasons for this. The most  important is that I just don't like talking about myself. The most boring subject to write on is me.

As for Locked-In Syndrome, the old description is the best:  I have a good mind in a good body, with no real communication between them. Practically, this means that I'm completely paralyzed and can only reliably move my eyes.

There. Now you know more about it than the doctors I've met.

1Kings 5

Hiram, the king of Tyre, thought very highly of David, and Solomon reaped the rewards.

Hiram had the wood harvested. He had it flowed and carried to the sites that Solomon had pointed out,. Hiriram sent craftsmen, found work for tens of thousands of conscriptted Israelites, and even came himself to supervise. But Solomon had to feed them all.

Review: WILD AT HEART by John Eldredge

This is the first Eldredge book I ever read, several years ago. Unfortunately, it's also the book that convinced me that while his psychology may be good his theology is terrible.

First, the good. Eldredge points directly to the problem when he states that men in general don't feel needed or even welcome in a world that seems to have been designed for womenl. He also writes wrell, and I always think it's a good idea to do that.

And if that was all, everything would be great. Unfortunately, there's the bad. Specifically, there are two areas of concern. The first is a mistake even great philosophers have made: he assumes that his own experiences are normative. Not only does he think all his desires come from God because he's ssved, but he tends to identify his tastes and God's. Essentially, God becomes John Eldredge writ large.,

Potentially more problematic is his attitude toward God's omniscience. Eldredge repeatedly refers to the "risks" God took creating people with free will. Risk implies a lack of knowledge about the future that skirts dangerously close to Open Theism.

I would love to recommend this book, but I can't.

1Kings 4

This is Israel's golden age, without a doubt.

Look how much land they controlled. Abraham had been promised all the land between the Euphrates and the sea, and this is as close as they got to claiming that promise.

Review: WAKING THE DEAD by John Eldredge

The "dead" to which the the title refers are desires and dreams, particularly those of men. As in most of his books, Eldredge wants men to break out of their civilized shells and become the strong, wild men God created them to be, which seems to involve fly fishing, for some reason. And elk hunting.

This isn't so much a bad book as a nonessential one. There is very little in this that isn't in his other books. For that reason, I don't recommend it 

1Kings 3

I find it more than a little ironic that Solomon asked for wisdom to know good from evil while he was at the "great high place" where he was accustomed to offer enormous sacrifices . Even more amazing is that God granted it provided he followed God's laws.

For example by not sacrificing to Baal.

I believe in the holy catholic church, the communion of the saints

First, understand that "catholic" is an old word meaning "universal". No one is pledging allegiance to the Church of Rome by repeating the Apostles' Creed.

The Church consists of followers of Christ in every place and every time. It is the universal community of saints, "saints" being another name for Christians in the New Testament.

The Church is not a place you go. It's not an institution founded by people. It isn't even synonymous with any denomination or sect. Simply put, it's all people throughout all time and space who love Jesus Christ and are loved by him.

1Kings 2

David's last place of advice to Solomon was just a hit list. Solomon had it carried out, making this a very bloody chapter.

It's more like The Godfather than the Bible.

Review: REVOLUTION IN WORLD MISSIONS by KP Yohannon

This is another of those books that changed my whole outlook.

Yohannon is a native of southwestern India, and his organization, Gospel for Asia, trailns native missionaries who can spread the Gospel more quickly and easily than Westerners can. The book is both autobiography, tracing the lives of Yohannon and GfA, and manifesto, calling for an end to the status quo and the increased use of native missionaries rather than foreigners.

I highly recommend this book. It opened my eyes, and will likely have the same effect on you.

1Kings 1

Yet another rebellion by a son. What a way to start a book.

David was too old to rule effectively, and Adonijah slipped in his own coronation without bothering to let his father know. David was too old and sick to do anything about it anyway. But Solomon wasn't.

The S-word

I'm going to tell you a secret.

It's a word, one the "good" people say they don't know. They're lying, though. Everyone has to deal with it one way or another.

It's certainly not a word you'd want to use in polite company. In fact some churches never use it, and some preachers take a lot of pride in the fact that they've never used the word, and they probably never will.

Of course, we mere mortals should forget we ever heard it, and under no circumstances are we to say the S-word, especially to someone not already in our club.

What word am I talking about? Lean close and then I'll tell you.

It's sin.

It's not what people want to hear. You won't build a 10000-member congregation talking about sin. You can't become rich and famous or have a string of $10 billion campuses or travel the world in private planes by telling people to repent. The question was never, "Is the Gospel helpful?" but "Is it true?"

Is it true?

Review: RADICAL by David Platt

If you're a reader like me, there are a few books that have changed the way you look at the world. This is one of mine.

The idea behind the book is simple: Christians in America don't have to live the American dream, particularly since Christ called his followers to the exact opposite. Instead of chasing bigger, better, and newer stuff, we're to live quiet lives of service and humility.

This book was a breath of fresh air the first time I read it, and it continues to be every time I reread it. I recommend it; it's definitely a message we need to hear.

Review: HOW TO CHOOSE AND USE A WIDE-MARGIN BIBLE by Randy A. Brown

Randy Brown runs the Bible Buying Guide, a blog  that a) specializes in news and reviews of new Bible editions,  and b) is better than this one. He's gained a lot of knowledge, and he's been good enough to share some in books like this.

I personally thought this book was written and put together well. It's clear it isn't a professional job, but it's also clear that Brown put in the effort in both the writing and Kindle formatting to make it as good as possible. The only complaint I have is that there isn't more of it. There's a lot of information here, but it's still a very short book. Then again, maybe I shouldn't be so critical of short things; my lovely wife is one, after all.

All told, this is a good book on an unfortunately obscure subject.. I recommend everyone read it visit the site, and get your own wide-margin Bible.

2Samuel 24

This is either several interconnected stories or one long one. I personally think it's the latter. Regardless, this chapter tells how Israel got the land for the temple. I also like the fact that David wouldn't offer a sacrifice that cost him nothing.

He really was a man after God's own heart.

1Kings will start Monday.

Review: THE ACCIDENTAL ANARCHIST by Bryna Kaszler

And here I thought I was done with Russians for a while.

Actually, this is a fictionalized rendition of the life of the author's grandfather. His biography was very picturesque, and Kanzler does a good job of describing the immensity of Siberia and the inhuman conditions of the Russian army and the gulags.

At the end of the book, the author reveals the practical upshot of all the adventures: this is how her family came to America. The biographical note at the end bridges the gap between the author's time and that of her subject.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Despite my antipathy toward its setting, it drew me in, and I enjoyed reading it. I recommend it.

2Samuel 23

This chapter is divided into two. Verses 1-7 give an account of David's last prophecy, and verse 8 on tell of his mighty men.

It's interesting that God rarely spoke through David while he was king. He wrote most of his psalms as a shepherd, and though he never stopped seeking God's will,often he was spoken to rather than through.

I believe in the Holy Ghost

Do you, really? Francis Chan called him the "forgotten God"; he's definitely the hardest one to visualize.(I always picture and a huge manta ray for some reason,)

The King James Version and this creed haven't helped by translating this as "Holy Ghost". Most newer works say "Holy Spirit", which I prefer. I don't doubt that ghost was the best word at the time, but these days it just brings up images of spooks.

Let's be clear. There aren't any haints in Christianity. There were a few people who were raised from the dead, and one notable occasion when a man's soul was called up from the land of the dead. Other than that,there's nothing. We worship the living, not the dead.

Whether you believe in him or in some preconceived notion of him, the Holy Spirit is God. He's an integral part of the Trinity, and Jesus said it was better for him to leave so the Spirit would come.

Do yourself a favor and research the Holy Spirit. Do yourself an even bigger favor and pray for guidance first. There's a lot of crazy about him on the interwebs.

2Samuel 22

He was the king of all Israel. Many kings paid tribute to him. The armies of the nation were under his command, and he knew exactly how many chariots, horses, and men he had. Yet this whole chapter is a song of praise to God.

He had everything,but he knew who it was all from.

2Samuel 21

David started off killing a giant, and all this time later he's still doing it.

This time is different, though. His commanders asked him to stay home because he was too valuable to lose. That's different from staying home for no reason except to get in trouble. He was becoming an old man, and was being treated as such.

Then church is supposed to be boring?

Never. Church services should never be boring.

Just look in the Bible. There are battles, intrigue, love songs, extramarital affairs, unbelievable wins and heartbreaking losses. That's the kind of thing we hear about in church. Doesn't sound boring to me.

And don't use the excuse that you can't understand the Bible. There are something like 60 kajillion translations of the Bible now. Find a reputable one you like and read it, and if you don't get something, ask.

In fact, that's another reason why you should be in church: the people who can answer your questions are there.

Charles Spurgeon, possibly one of the greatest preachers who ever lived, gave his students this advice: if you see people going to sleep, give each of your deacons a long stick and a penknife, and tell them to whittle one end of that stick down to a needle-sharp point. That way, when people start to nod off, they can prod the preacher.

To paraphrase John Wesley, founder of the Methodists, it's the preacher's job to be on fire; it's yours to be there to watch him burn.

What I mean is that the pastor is responsible for making sure that the service isn't dull. You have to adjust your expectations and realize that the entire world doesn't exist just to entertain you. Who knows? You may even start liking it, and then you can be a church nerd too.

He is risen!

Easter isn't about boiling eggs, though plenty of people like hard-boiled eggs.

Easter isn't about new dresses and hats, though there's nothing wrong with a pretty girl in a pretty dress.

Easter isn't about celebrating springtime; after all, it's autumn in half the world.

Easter isn't about hiding plastic eggs, though watching little kids try to find them is a lot of fun 

Easter isn't about candy, though candy is very good. 

Easter isn't about the Germanic goddess Eostre, though few of us call it "Pascha" anymore.

Easter isn't about family getting together, though family getting together is nice.

All of these things are just stuff we've piled on a holiday that's really about one thing: a man who died on Friday walked out of the tomb on Sunday.

He is risen, indeed.